July 10, 2012: Dilos, Mikonos

July 10, 2012: We took a trip to the islands of Dilos and Mikonos, two islands close to each other but two islands that couldn't be more different from each other.

cruise ships visiting the Greek islands

Arrival in Dilos

On Dilos the two gods Artemis and Apollo were venerated. According to our tour guide, Dilos is one of the only three places on earth that is brightest -- there are always clear skies and the rainfall per year is less than 3 cm (just a bit more than one inch). The wells on Dilos rely on water that originates on the mainland and travels to Dilos in underground channels. Dilos had a sophisticated sewer system as well as wells, and to prevent disease, lime was used to disinfect the walls of the city.

The island of Dilos was first inhabited 3000 B.C. and is one of the central islands of the Cyclades. Throughout its history, invaders from various countries took over the island and one can find which country resided where by looking at the statues and types of building remnants on the island. The Ionians erected temples there and olympic games were held on Dilos. There were also music contests.

Beginning in 600 B.C., the Athenians ruled the island of Dilos. In the 5th century B.C. there was a plague that swept the area and so there was a law that no births or deaths were allowed to occur on the island -- pregnant mothers and those dying were moved to neighboring islands if either a birth or a death was imminent.

As mentioned above, there were many invasions on the island. During one of the invasions, 20 thousand people were killed. The people of Dilos were able to resist the Persian invasion. However, later on, the Athenians ceded control to the Spartans and with that invasion, 30,000 people moved onto the island of Dilos. 

With all the invasions, many gods were revered on the island over time -- gods from Egypt, Greece, Syria, Italy, and of Jewish descent. Because of the geographic backgrounds of the people, both the Greek and Latin languages were in use on the island. Further, the currencies of all the countries of the inhabitants on the island were used to purchase things -- coins from many countries were found at a prostitute's quarters.

As mentioned above, one of the primary gods worshipped on Dilos was Apollo and the oldest temple made of marble was built in his honor on the island. Since there is no marble to quarry on the island, the marble used for the temple was transported to Dilos from Naxos, another island in the Cyclades. In the Temple of Apollo, the base of the Collosus of Naxos was created from 32 tons of marble.

Remains of Apollo Temple

Here are pictures taken of the various parts of the city:

water well

lions (replicas) of Dilos - lions signify strength

Lion Statues - lions signify strength

mosaic in wealthy home -- 200 B.C.

temple for fertility -- guess what this is

We ended our tour of Dilos by visiting the museum where there were several statues, mosaics, and paintings:

original lions that were replicated outside

mosaic

mosaic

After leaving Dilos, we headed for Mikonos, the "Venice" of Greece. However, after having visited Mikonos, I wonder if Venice really isn't the "Mikonos" of Italy -- the stores and restaurants were so plentiful! Mikonos was certainly in sharp contrast to Dilos -- alley after alley of interesting things to see and taste. As we traveled to a restaurant for lunch, we met Pedros, the 30 year old pelican who has become a mascot of Mikonos. Pedros greeted me by pecking me in the knee.

Pedros, the 30 year old pelican asleep on a fountain

Pedros the 30 year old pelican

Pedros, the 30 year old pelican

At one end of the city we found several windmills that once ground grain: